The Indianapolis 500 has been broadcast on network television in the United States since 1965. As of 2025, the race airs on FOX. From 1965 to 2018, the event was broadcast by ABC, making it the second-longest-running relationship between an individual sporting event and television network, surpassed only by CBS Sports' relationship with the Masters Tournament (since 1956). In 2014, ABC celebrated fifty years televising the Indianapolis 500, not including 1961 through 1964 when reports and highlights of time trials were aired on ABC's Wide World of Sports. From 2019 to 2024, the race aired on NBC.
From 1965 to 1970, ABC televised a combination of filmed and/or taped recorded highlights of the race the following weekend on their flagship anthology series Wide World of Sports. The 1965 and 1966 presentations were in black-and-white, while all subsequent presentations have been in color. From 1971 to 1985, the Indianapolis 500 was shown on a same-day tape delay basis. Races were edited to a two-hour or three-hour broadcast, and shown in prime time.
Starting in 1986, the race has been shown live in "flag-to-flag" coverage. In the Indianapolis market, as well as other parts of Indiana, the live telecast is blacked out and shown tape delayed to encourage gate attendance. Through 1991, the local tape-delay broadcast aired one or two weeks after the race, and during the 1970s, it aired as long a month after the race. In 1992 the local tape-delay broadcast was pushed forward to same-day tape on Sunday evening. In 2016, the tickets for the race were completely sold out, such that the local blackout was lifted for that year. Since 2007, the race has been aired in high definition.
Currently, the television voice of the Indy 500 is Will Buxton, a role he will assume for the first time in 2025. Previous television anchors include Chris Schenkel, Jim McKay, Keith Jackson, Jim Lampley, Paul Page, Bob Jenkins, Todd Harris, Marty Reid, and Allen Bestwick (all of ABC); followed by Leigh Diffey, who called the race on NBC in 2019–2024. Other longtime fixtures of the broadcast include Jack Arute, Sam Posey, Jackie Stewart, Chris Economaki, Bobby Unser, Jerry Punch, and Scott Goodyear.
On August 10, 2011, ABC extended their exclusive contract to carry the Indianapolis 500 through 2018. Starting in 2014, the contract also includes live coverage of the IndyCar Grand Prix on the road course.
In 2019, the Indianapolis 500 moved to NBC, as part of a new three-year contract that unifies the IndyCar Series' television rights with NBC Sports (the parent division of IndyCar's then-current cable partner NBCSN), and replaces the separate package of five races broadcast by ABC. The Indianapolis 500 is one of eight races televised by NBC as part of the new deal, which ended ABC's 54-year tenure as broadcaster of the event. WTHR is the local broadcaster of the race under this contract; the existing blackout policy is expected to continue should the race not sell out. As no spectators were allowed for the 2020 Indianapolis 500, the race was aired live in the Indianapolis market. Two subsequent live broadcasts occurred in 2021, when the number of spectators was limited under local public health orders, and 2024, after a significant weather delay.
Fox Sports took over rights to IndyCar, including the Indianapolis 500, beginning in 2025. The Speedway is expected to continue to enforce the live local blackout on Indianapolis Fox affiliate WXIN. After a grandstand sellout was announced, however, the local blackout was lifted for 2025. WXIN initially prepared to broadcast Memorial Day related programs in the window that networks like FOX would have used to air prime time programs in a transposed broadcast.
Live coverage
FOX era YearNetworkPre-raceLap-by-lapannouncerColorcommentatorPit reportersFeatures reporters2026FOXChris Myers (Host)Danica Patrick (Studio Analyst)Tony Stewart (Studio Analyst)Will BuxtonTownsend BellJames HinchcliffeJack Harvey (reports)Georgia HenneberryKevin LeeJamie LittleTom Rinaldi2025Erin AndrewsTom Rinaldi
NBC era YearNetworkPre-raceLap-by-lapannouncerColorcommentatorPit reportersRoving Reporters2024 NBCMike Tirico (Host)Danica Patrick (Studio Analyst)Jimmie Johnson (Studio Analyst)Leigh DiffeyTownsend BellJames HinchcliffeMarty SniderDave BurnsKevin LeeDillon WelchJeff BurtonKim Coon2023 Mike Tirico (Host)Danica Patrick (Studio Analyst)Dale Earnhardt Jr.Steve Letarte2022Dale Earnhardt Jr.Rutledge Wood2021 Mike Tirico (NBC Host)Jac Collinsworth (NBCSN Host)Danica Patrick (Studio Analyst) Jimmie Johnson (Studio Analyst) Steve Letarte (Studio Analyst)Townsend BellPaul TracyMarty SniderKelli StavastDave BurnsKevin Lee2020Mike Tirico (Host)Danica Patrick (Studio Analyst)Townsend BellPaul Tracy (turn two)Marty SniderKelli StavastKevin LeeRutledge Wood2019Mike Tirico (NBC Host)Krista Voda (NBCSN Host)Danica Patrick (Studio Analyst)Townsend BellPaul TracyMarty SniderKelli StavastJon BeekhuisKevin LeeDale Earnhardt Jr.Rutledge WoodRobin MillerDillon Welch
Dillon Welch is the first second-generation broadcaster to be involved in the race telecast. His father Vince worked the race in the ABC era until 2014.
ABC era
YearNetworkHostLap-by-lapannouncerColorcommentatorPit reporters2018ABCNicole BriscoeAllen BestwickScott GoodyearEddie Cheever Jerry PunchJon BeekhuisRick DeBruhlMarty Smith2017Lindsay Czarniak20162015Jerry PunchJon BeekhuisRick DeBruhl2014 Jerry PunchVince WelchJamie LittleRick DeBruhl2013Marty Reid2012Brent Musburger201120102009Jack AruteVince WelchBrienne PedigoJamie Little20082007Scott GoodyearRusty Wallace2006Jack AruteJerry PunchVince WelchJamie Little2005 Todd HarrisScott Goodyear 2004 Terry GannonPaul PageScott GoodyearJack AruteJerry PunchGary GerouldVince WelchTodd HarrisJamie Little2003Bob JenkinsScott GoodyearJack AruteJerry PunchGary GerouldVince Welch2002 2001Al MichaelsBob JenkinsLarry RiceJason PriestleyJack AruteJerry PunchVince WelchLeslie Gudel2000Indianapolis 500 (2000) home page at Hollywood.com Tom SnevaArie Luyendyk 1999The 83rd Indianapolis 500 (1999) home page at Hollywood.com Tom SnevaJerry PunchGary GerouldJon Beekhuis1998Paul PagePaul PageJack AruteJerry PunchGary Gerould1997Race was scheduled for Sunday May 25, but rain postponed the start until Monday May 26. After 15 laps were completed, rain resumed, and the conclusion of the race was held Tuesday May 27. Danny Sullivan (turn four)Bobby Unser (turn two)Tom Sneva Jack AruteJerry PunchGary Gerould1996Danny SullivanBobby Unser (turn two)1995Bobby Unser (turn two)Sam Posey1994Danny Sullivan (turn four)Bobby Unser (turn two)Sam Posey1993Bobby Unser (turn two)Sam Posey1992Bobby UnserSam Posey1991199074th Indianapolis '500,' The (1990) home page at Hollywood.com1989The 73rd Indianapolis '500' (1989) home page at Hollywood.comJack AruteJerry PunchBrian Hammons1988The 72nd Indianapolis '500' (1988) home page at Hollywood.comJack AruteBrian Hammons1987Jim McKayJim LampleyJack AruteAl TrautwigJerry Gappens1986Race was scheduled for Sunday May 25, but rain postponed the race until Monday. On Monday, rain continued, and the race was rescheduled and held Saturday May 31.The 70th Indianapolis 500 (1986) home page at Hollywood.com Sam PoseyJack AruteAl TrautwigLarry NuberDonna de Varona
Starting in 1986, the race was shown live in its entirety. The 1986 race, however, was postponed for six days due to rain. From 2007 to 2018, live coverage was produced by ESPN. Also in 2007, Rusty Wallace and Jamie Little worked the 500, but did not cover any other races that season. Rupert Boneham once worked as part of the ABC Sports production crew at Indy.2004 Indianapolis 500 Telecast.
ABC-TV live telecast gallery
Same-day tape delay coverage From 1971 to 1985, the Indianapolis 500 was shown on a same-day tape delay basis. Races were edited down to a between two and three hour broadcast, and shown in prime time. It was also blacked out in the Indianapolis market until a later date. The broadcasts would typically open with the rendition of "Back Home Again in Indiana", and the starting command, but no other pre-race ceremonies. In addition, the broadcast was supplemented with some pre-recorded, in-depth featurettes, aired during down times. Later telecasts included live introductions at the top and bottom of the broadcast, with the closing segment sometimes an interview with the race winner, which by that time, had been revealed to the viewers. During this period, the announcers' commentary at both the start and finish of the race were recorded as those events transpired. However, the commentary of the middle parts of the race was semi-scripted, and recorded in post-production, and edited into the broadcast as it was being aired.
YearNetworkHostLap-by-lap announcerColor commentatorsPit reporters1985ABCJim McKayJim McKaySam PoseyJack AruteJim LampleyBill Flemming1984Jackie StewartJack AruteLarry NuberBill FlemmingRay Gandolf 1983Chris EconomakiBill FlemmingJim LampleyAnne Simon1982Chris EconomakiBill FlemmingJack WhitakerClyde Lee1981Dave DilesJackie StewartChris EconomakiBill FlemmingSam Posey1980Chris SchenkelDave DilesChris EconomakiSam Posey 1979Chris SchenkelChris EconomakiDave Diles1978Chris EconomakiBill FlemmingSam Posey1977Chris EconomakiBill Flemming1976Sam PoseyChris EconomakiBill FlemmingJackie Stewart (Features)1975Keith JacksonJackie StewartChris EconomakiSam Posey1974Jim McKaySam PoseyChris EconomakiBill FlemmingJackie Stewart (Features)1973Jackie StewartChris Economaki*Dave DilesDon Hein1972Jackie StewartChris Economaki1971 Chris EconomakiBill FlemmingKeith JacksonDavid Letterman
In 1973, Jackie Stewart was scheduled to be the color commentator. The race however, was red flagged on Monday due to the Salt Walther crash, and rain delayed the start until Wednesday. Stewart was unable to stay for the race running on Wednesday since he was due to compete the following weekend as a driver in the Grand Prix of Monaco, so Chris Economaki took his place. In 1974 and 1976, Sam Posey provided the color commentary in place of Jackie Stewart due to the Indy 500 and Monaco Grand Prix clashing on the same weekend. Stewart did pre recorded features at Indy during qualifying week which were aired on race day before going to Monaco to cover the grand prix for ABC. In 1971 Chris Schenkel was supposed to be the telecast host, but was injured when the pace car crashed coming into the pits at the start of the race. In 1971, a young David Letterman, who then worked at ABC's then-Indianapolis affiliate WLWI-TV, was one of the roving turn reporters.
Wide World of Sports & closed-circuit coverage Race commentary for ABC's Wide World of Sports broadcasts was recorded during post-production. During the actual running of the race, anchor Jim McKay occasionally served as a roving reporter, recording interviews in the pits and garage area, which was later edited into the broadcast. In some years the broadcast also included highlights of time trials. From 1964 to 1970, the Indianapolis 500 was shown live on closed-circuit television in theaters and other similar venues across the United States. All live closed circuit broadcasts were anchored by Charlie Brockman.
Wide World of SportsYearNetworkLap-by-lap announcerColor commentatorPit reporters1970 ABCJim McKayRodger Ward Chris Economaki1969196819671966Chris Schenkelnot used1965Charlie BrockmanRodger Ward
Closed Circuit televisionYearNetworkLap-by-lap announcerColor commentatorPit reporters1970 MCACharlie BrockmanRodger WardJackie Stewart1969Rodger WardJim Wilson1968Chris EconomakiParnelli Jones1967Rodger WardChick HearnChris EconomakiSam Hanks1966Sam HanksChris Economaki1965Rodger WardSam HanksBernie Herman1964Sam HanksBernie HermanChris EconomakiDarl Wible
Local live coverage